Wikipedia in the Environmental History Classroom

Wikipedia in the Environmental History Classroom

Environmental history is one of the most rapidly growing academic fields. The number of history departments employing an environmental historian has grown from just 4.3% in 1975 to 45% in 2015. The field focuses on the ways humans have shaped and have been shaped by their environment. With recent events like those in Standing Rock and Flint, and the trend among local government planners to replace “climate change” with “resilience” in policy documents, this relationship between humans and our environment is as important as ever to study and understand.

But it’s not just important for academics to study and understand these issues. It’s also imperative that the general public become aware and informed as well. That’s why Wiki Education is so excited to be attending this year’s American Society of Environmental History conference. The theme for this year, “Winds of Change: Global Connections across Space, Time, and Nature”, emphasizes points that Wikipedians, and we here at Wiki Education, know well: that knowledge and understanding can change and transform, and that when it does, it’s important to adapt and to click that “edit” button.

During the conference I’ll be in the exhibit hall talking to interested university instructors about the many opportunities that a Wikipedia assignment can bring to their classrooms. From research engagement to critical thinking, to science communication and other skills, we think that what students learn while working to improve Wikipedia is crucial to their ability to become informed citizens. If you’re in Chicago next week attending the ASEH conference, I hope you’ll come by the booth. And if you or any other instructors you know are interested in learning more about Wikipedia assignments, visit teach.wikiedu.org or reach out at samantha@wikiedu.org – I’d love to chat!